News

Albuquerque, NM – The suspect in the murders of a University of New Mexico English professor and a Bernalillo High School teacher had a history of stalking his ex-girlfriends according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Police say Ralph Montoya shot Hector Torres and Stefania Grey, who was his ex-girlfriend, on Sunday. Grey had filed for a restraining order against Montoya after an incident in January when Montoya allegedly attacked her at Torres' house.

Santa Fe, NM – Among other things, the rules would allow companies to apply for a franchise to get access to existing rights of way on both public and private lands to install new telecommunications equipment.

Albuquerque, NM – Congress has yet to approve a continuation of supplemental stimulus funding for Medicaid programs around the country.

At stake is about $100 million in Medicaid funding for New Mexico. Some state lawmakers are concerned about the delay, saying if the funding isn't extended, more cuts to the state budget will be necessary.

As KUNM's Jim Williams reports though, New Mexico U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman remains optimistic that the dollars will be delivered soon.

Santa Fe, NM – State lawmakers have adjourned after a special session to fill a 600 million dollar budget hole for the coming fiscal year. Much of the budget fix was done by raising taxes. As KUNM's Jim Williams reports from our capitol newsroom, that's left more than one Democrat uneasy in an election year, and ready to talk about income taxes for the wealthy.

Albuquerque, NM – State lawmakers are trying to wrap up a special legislative session today in Santa Fe to deal with a budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year. We're taking a close look at the two options they're considering: cutting, and taxing. First, KUNM's Scott Ki takes a look at where the legislature intends to make spending cuts and why.

Santa Fe, NM – As lawmakers prepared to debate the appropriations bill Wednesday, state Senators were reflecting on the tax increase package that passed that chamber Tuesday night. KUNM's Jim Williams has more from our capitol newsroom.

Big birthday party for maestro Bobby Shew who was born this very day in Albuquerque back when Tingley was mayor (1941). I'm not sure we'll discuss surfing the Rio Grande but we will be discussing all things trumpet. Bobby Shew's illustrious career continues to take him around the world and into every dimension. His knowledge of trumpet is staggering. SO, that's what we'll talk about. Host Mark Weber.

A proposed Senate bill may change existing standards around taxation of tobacco on Native lands.

The Jenkins Act requires anyone who sells cigarettes in any state to report those sales to each state monthly and presumably to pay taxes on those sales. But Indian tribes have been able to claim an exemption from this law because of their status as sovereign nations.

Spring is rolling in and along with tulips, rains and hay fever, powwows will begin popping up all over Turtle Island. Powwow season will (unofficially) kick off with the 36th Annual Denver March Pow-Wow.

Other events coming up are the Indian Summer Festival's annual Winter Pow-Wow in Milwaukee, and the First Nations Golf Association's Talking Stick Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona. March Madness will also bring Indian basketball to Santa Fe.

Albuquerque, NM – The Sierra Club, New Energy Economy and more than a dozen other groups in New Mexico are asking for a science-based cap on greenhouse gases produced in the state.

Proponents see it as a critical move toward environmental preservation of the Southwest and an economic engine to create new green jobs.

Opponents of the cap worry about the cost of compliance and the economic impacts it could have on industry. Critics of the cap also charge it could lead to higher electricity and energy costs for consumers.

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico lawmakers are back in Santa Fe today for a special session to deal with the state budget after they were unable to find consensus in the regular session that ended nearly two weeks ago.

As KUNM's Jim Williams reports from our capitol newsroom, negotiations have gotten legislators closer to agreement, but some say they were shut out of that process.

New York, NY – Counterspin: Your Weekly Look Behind the Headlines Analyst and Iran affairs blogger Cyrus Safdari discusses developments in Iran, and Robert Alvarez of the Institute for Policy Studies talks about the possible development of nuclear power plants in the United States. http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/15-2

March 1, 2010 – Each year tens of thousands of undocumented students, most of them brought to the U.S. as small children by their immigrant parents, graduate from high school. Despite being raised in American culture, these students cannot legally work because of their immigration status. And most cannot go to college, prompting cries for congressional passage of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors or DREAM Act.

Santa Fe, NM – If you enjoy local theater, tonight is your last chance to catch the 9th annual collection of original short plays written and selected for the Benchwarmers competition at the Santa Fe Playhouse.

Reviewer Jim Terr went to the festival of 15-minute playlets and shares his thoughts on what he saw.

Jim Terr is a writer, satirist, and videographer. He lives in Santa Fe

Albuquerque, NM – The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Psychiatry Department hosted a panel discussion on mental health policy last night on the UNM campus. At issue, among other things, was how the state addresses mental health services and funds them.

KUNM's Jim Williams spoke with one of the organizers about the focus of the event.